COUNCIL ADOPTS LIST OF ROAD PROJECTS FOR CITY

City officials are fairly certain that a slate of proposed road improvement projects in Cape Girardeau won't be affected by rising fuel prices. The projects are being proposed as an extension of the city's Transportation Trust Fund program.

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday night unanimously approved a resolution that outlines the 13 projects in the 2001-2005 Transportation Trust Fund program.

Earlier the council set an election for Aug. 8 so that voters can consider a five-year extension of an existing half-cent sales tax. The revenue from that tax, estimated at $20 million, would solely fund road improvement projects.

Voters first adopted the Transportation Trust Fund in 1995 to help pay for 20 street improvement projects. That program expires Dec. 31.

Current projects like widening Broadway from Clark to Perry avenues and construction of Hopper Road haven't been affected by the rising pump prices, said City Planner Kent Bratton.

"We don't have anything to indicate an impact," said Bratton. "Maybe it just hasn't shown up yet."

All the current projects should be under construction by the year's end.

By the time the proposed projects will be under way, "hopefully we'll be back" to normal prices, Bratton said of the rising fuel costs.

City planners and engineers haven't been trying to adjust cost estimates for the projects, which total $20.6 million.

The Planning and Zoning Commission built nearly $3 million in contingency funding into its proposal. That proposal was submitted to the council May 11.

It is a list nearly identical to the list finalized in March by the commission. The city and Vision 2000 hosted several public meetings in April so that residents could comment on the proposed projects. Few people attended those meetings.

But the lack of public input hasn't upset city leaders. They see the lack of comments as a sign that they have suggested projects most people see a need for and are comfortable with.

Public meetings and presentations at civic clubs will be held throughout July.

Recommended projects

These projects totaling $20.6 million were suggested for City Council approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission last month. The council set a city election for Aug. 8 to consider an extension of the Transportation Trust Fund.

General projects:

* Paving.

* Repairs to streets, curbs and gutters.

* Repairs to existing sidewalks.

* New sidewalk construction.

* Install street lights.

Specific projects suggested:

* Widening Independence from Kingshighway to Pacific.

* General improvements to Independence from Sprigg to Water streets.

* Widening Siemers Drive from William Street to Bloomfield Road, including adding traffic lights.

* New construction of Silver Springs Road from Southern Expressway to Kingshighway.

* New construction of Silver Springs Road from Shawnee Parkway to Southern Expressway.

* New construction of Bloomfield Road (Phase 3) from Siemers Drive to Stonebridge Drive, including new bridge at Ramsey Creek.

* Widening and improving Broadway from Perry Avenue to Houck Place.

* Widening Mount Auburn Road from William Street to Bloomfield Road.